​The Blue Jackets don’t have a full roster yet, as they continue to pursue re-signing three key players, but they do have a complete 2026-27 schedule with two extra games added. The NHL released the league-wide schedule on July 16, confirming 84 games for each of the 32 teams, and Columbus’ slate earned an early thumbs-up from Don Waddell, the team’s president of hockey operations and general manager. After a sneak peek on June 25, Waddell called it the best schedule he’s seen in the years he’s been involved, adding that with a few tweaks it could be really good. Whether those tweaks were made or not, the Jackets now face 84 games over 192 days, beginning Oct. 1 at home against the Buffalo Sabres. This marks the first time Columbus will open at home since the 2023-24 season.
There are 13 back-to-back sets, three fewer than last season, and the longest road trips are limited to four games. With the regular season expanded to 84 games, the preseason was pared down to four games, paving the way for a much earlier start to the regular season. The Jackets will drop the puck on Oct. 1 at Nationwide Arena against the Sabres, eight days earlier than their opening game last season in Nashville. Fewer preseason games reduce ice time for prospects hoping to crack the NHL roster, while established players, coaches, GMs, media and fans will appreciate watching less exhibition hockey. There’s also less risk of injury for key players in meaningless games, plus the added anticipation of meaningful games sooner.
Adding two extra regular-season games distributes the schedule more evenly and ensures that teams from the Metropolitan and Atlantic divisions face each of their seven division rivals four times (twice at home, twice on the road). For the Blue Jackets, this means 28 games against Metropolitan opponents. The team will need to find ways to improve its record against divisional foes, as last season’s results against the Metro were mixed: Columbus went 11-11-4 within the division, a mark better than only the New York Rangers (10-13-3) and the New Jersey Devils (7-17-2). As the organization looks ahead, balancing the schedule with a robust home-and-away rhythm against both conference and division rivals will be crucial to maximizing points and positioning as the season unfolds.